Check Out Janelle Wilson’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle Wilson

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey into entrepreneurship came out of necessity as a single mother and student in need of additional income. Starting Loving Locks was an answered prayer, I initially planned to balance my business with going to school part-time, working full time and doing hair on the side. Once I took the Sisterlocks® training class, I expected a gradual increase in clients slowy. However, it did not go that way. The clientele grew faster than I could finish school, I graduated, took a promotion and still did Sisterlocks on the weekend. After COVID-19, I quit my full time county job of 19 years, and focused solely on the business.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Three of my biggest challenges were scheduling, balancing a full time job, school, and two children. I overcame those challenges by using a scheduler instead of pen and paper, I quit the job to do Sisterlocks full time, and the children grew up! LOL. The road was not easy even when I was dedicated full time to the business, I had to learn as I grew, how to manage people, financial ups and downs, and time with a new husband.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Loving Locks is committed to excellence and innovation in the natural hair care industry. Loving Locks is dedicated to providing exceptional Sisterlocks® services, premium products, comprehensive classes, flexible space share chair rental and whole suite rental options, and mentorship opportunities. We celebrate and nurture the beauty of natural hair while fostering a supportive and inclusive community for people with tightly textured hair.” “Empowering Natural Beauty Through Education, Innovation, and Community.

Sisterlocks® is a trademarked natural hair management system that allows people with tightly textured hair to take advantage of a wide variety of ​today’s hair styles without changing the texture of their hair.

Loving Locks is an official host location for the Sisterlocks Blended Training in which I am one of the Senior trainers.

Loving Locks unique progressive student journey starts with the official Sisterlocks training. Students become mentees, then business owners through our pay-per-use chair rental and suite rental. As part of our Business Collective, they form a network of separate businesses in one location, supporting each other, sharing ideas, and growing collectively, creating a thriving ecosystem of natural hair care professionals.
Empowering Natural Beauty Through Education, Innovation, and Community

I am a very proud winner of the 2024 SBDC Best Small Business award.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I have been a guest on Fox 2 New “The Noon” to talk about business.
I’ve been featured on Every Strand Counts with Dana Wilson host.
Graduate of the Digital Undivided Breakthrough program by JPMorgan Chase & Company, SBA T.H.R.I.V.E program, and accepted to Goldman Sachs Small 1000 Small Businesses Program.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lovinglocks.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovinglocks08/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LovingLocks
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-wilson-loving-locks/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lovinglocks08
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lovinglocks08
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/loving-locks-plymouth-2
• Other: https://curl-academy.learnworlds.com/pages/home https://curl-academy.learnworlds.com/pages/home